OPIC.

"When I first came to OPIC, I committed to building and strengthening the organization. So I am tremendously proud of the work we accomplished with the Trump Administration and Congress to advance the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act into law, which experts have called the biggest advance in U.S. development policy in a generation."

An entrepreneurial ecosystem isn't just "nice to have" - it's essential, both for a company’s long-term success and for investor performance. Ecosystems have a critical impact on a company’s ability to recruit a capable management team, hire skilled staff, benefit from effective mentorship and source new capital for growth – among many other areas. Dia Martin, Managing Director for Social Enterprise Finance at OPIC charts out some concrete actions investors can take today to build ecosystems for tomorrow.

With over 520,000 previously-unbanked clients that now have “Amiga Accounts” and a $70m loan book to finance microenterprises, Banco Guayaquil’s “Banco del Barrio” is one of the pioneering and most comprehensive inclusive finance programs in Latin America, significantly expanding access to financial services in Ecuador by leveraging a network of more than 4,400 non-bank customer touchpoints across the country.

“With Fund Mujer, we are not only investing in women-owned and led enterprises. We are also investing in enterprises that provide quality employment and access to products and services that address critical barriers so that we may enhance women’s economic participation and success. With Fund Mujer we are moving beyond merely counting women; we are also valuing women,” added OPIC Managing Director for Global Women’s Issues Kathryn Kaufman.

“At a time when the world’s emerging markets are in great need of development finance, OPIC’s support for these projects will mobilize private investment through a model that is financially sustainable, promotes American best standards and protects local communities and workers,” said Ray W. Washburne, OPIC President and CEO.

“Africa is home to many of the world’s fastest-growing economies and presents both a great need for investment and a great opportunity for American businesses,” Washburne said. “But, too many barriers remain to the flow of goods and services. By focusing on connectivity, we’re not only helping build means for economic development, but also laying the foundation for future trade partners.”